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 Individual species record

Phelsuma malamakibo Nussbaum & al., 2000

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Distribution of Phelsuma malamakibo

Description

Phelsuma malamakibo, is a medium-sized day gecko. It is identified by the presence of a distinct dark lateral stripe on the neck and body with a white lateral stripe beneath it and a second, thin dark lateral stripe below the white stripe; greenish dorsal ground color with reddish brown spots arranged into three longitudinal rows or lines on the neck and back; no sexual dichromatism; a median cleft dorsally on the rostral scale; nostrils centered above the first supralabial scale; subequal subcaudal scales; keeled gular and anterior chest scales; and smooth (unkeeled) scales on the ventral surfaces of the body and tail. In most respects, this new species is similar to Phelsuma lineata, P. pusilla, and P. quadriocellata; however, these species have keeled ventral scales. Phelsuma malamakibo is similar to P. modesta in having smooth ventral scales, but the latter species is sexually dichromatic and differs from P. malamakibo in details of coloration and nostril position, as well as habitat. Phelsuma modesta is largely arboricolous in variable, usually drier habitats, whereas P. malamakibo is saxicolous in rain forest.

Etymology

The name "malamakibo" is Malagasy for "smooth-belly"

Distribution

Phelsuma malamakibo is a rock-dwelling species which occurs in primary rain forest on the eastern slopes of the Anosyenne Mountains, at elevations between 810 m and 1940 m in Réserve Naturelle Intégrale d'Andohahela, southern Madagascar. 

Terra Typica

13.5 km northwest of Eminiminy, 1200 m elevation, 23°35.04'S, 46°44.08'E

Biotope

Phelsuma malamakibo lives on rocks between 870 m and 1940 min the primary evergreen rain forest or montane grassland and heathland. At lower elevations the species is found in open forest areas near riverbanks and along streams. At higher altitudes, where the forest is less dense and has more open areas, Phelsuma malamakibo is widely distributed in these montane habitats where rock substrate is available.

Reproductive behaviour

Phelsuma malamakibo is an "egg-gluer". The eggs are attached firmly to the rocks. Nesting (gluing) sites are often used by several females.

© Copyright 1991-2004 Phelsumania - Emmanuel Van Heygen